One of America's smallest babies, born weighing less than 11 ounces, heads home from New York hospital

"It's really nice to be our own little family in almost 9 months."

April 11, 2019, 1:54 PM

A baby born weighing less than 11 ounces, about the size of a human heart, has been sent home after spending 270 days in the hospital.

Connor Florio, now 8 months, was discharged from Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, New York, on April 9, 2019. Now, parents John and Jamie Florio are thrilled to have their family all in one place.

"He's going really well," dad John Florio told "Good Morning America." "He's still on a couple of medications and oxygen. He's very playful, calm -- he doesn't cry very much. He loves people watching and so far he doesn't mind getting licked by the dog."

Connor arrived via emergency caesarean section on July 13, 2018, at 26 weeks at Westchester Medical Center. He was then transferred to the NICU at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and was diagnosed with with chronic lung disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and SGA (small for gestational age), among various other medical conditions.

PHOTO: Connor Florio was born at 26 weeks on July 13, 2018 weighing less than 11 ounces. That's about the size of a human heart.
Connor Florio was born at 26 weeks on July 13, 2018 weighing less than 11 ounces. That's about the size of a human heart.
Jamie and John Florio

When he was born, doctors told Connor's parents that their son may not survive.

"We knew that was definetely a possibilty with his size," John Florio said. "I was cautiously optimistic."

PHOTO: Connor Florio of Danbury, Connecticut, born weighing less than 11 ounces, was discharged from Blythedale Children's Hospital in New York, April 9, 2019.
Connor Florio of Danbury, Connecticut, born weighing less than 11 ounces, was discharged from Blythedale Children's Hospital in New York, April 9, 2019.
Jamie and John Florio
PHOTO: From the NICU, Connor Florio, now 8 months, was admitted to Blythedale Hospital in New York, where he gained weight.
From the NICU, Connor Florio, now 8 months, was admitted to Blythedale Hospital in New York, where he gained weight.
Jamie and John Florio

Dr. Dennis Davidson, unit chief for the Infant & Toddler Unit at Blythedale Children’s Hospital, said a 26-week-old baby born at normal weight would normally have an 80 to 90 percent chance of survival.

"However, Connor was less than half of the appropriate weight for a 26-week baby," Davidson said in a statement released to "GMA." "He was 310 grams which is about 11 ounces, roughly. And his father could literally hold him in his hand. Babies who are that small barely have a chance for survival but he made it through."

PHOTO: Connor Florio, now 8 months old, survived a life-threatening situation at birth to the point where he could start rehabilitation at Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, NY.
Connor Florio, now 8 months old, survived a life-threatening situation at birth to the point where he could start rehabilitation at Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, NY.
Jamie and John Florio

"The work at the neonatal ICU at Westchester County Medical Center, Maria Fareri , brought him from a life-threatening situation at birth to the point where we could start his rehabilitation at Blythedale," Davidson added.

Besides medical care, Connor received physical therapy, occupational therapy, as well as speech and feeding therapy, Davidson noted.

PHOTO: Connor's parents Jamie and John Florio Danbury, Connecticut, were told that he may not survive when first born via emergency caesarean section, July 13, 2018.
Connor's parents Jamie and John Florio Danbury, Connecticut, were told that he may not survive when first born via emergency caesarean section, July 13, 2018.
Jamie and John Florio

"He attended infant school," Davidson said. "There he became much more interactive, starting to play with toys. So he got a lot of developmental care. Partly from us, but his family was here all the time and you can't beat that."

It's really nice to be our own little family in almost 9 months.

To keep their spirits up, Jamie and John Florio dressed Connor in adorable outfits for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, among other holidays.

PHOTO: Eight-month-old Connor Florio of Danbury, Connecticut, a former 26-week micro preemie born less than 11 ounces in New York.
Eight-month-old Connor Florio of Danbury, Connecticut, a former 26-week micro preemie born less than 11 ounces in New York.
Jamie and John Florio

Today, Now, Connor weighs 10 pounds, 10 ounces, and is happy to be home.

"It's really nice to be our own little family in almost 9 months," mom Jamie Florio told "GMA" of her son's homecoming. "I don't know if Connor would've survived today if it wasn't for the doctors and nurses. They really are superheroes in the NICU."

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